Ofcom complains to Dutch regulator about porn TV

Ofcom has lodged a complaint with the Dutch media regulator about adult chat channels which are licensed in the Netherlands but broadcast in the UK. Ofcom says channels such as Babestation and Smile TV are accessible by children on Freeview and considers they may be in breach of regulations regarding the promotion of website content to under-18s.

“We have now begun special European co-operation procedures with the Dutch TV regulator, which is responsible for the channels, to help us to secure further measures to protect UK audiences. These procedures enable regulators to swiftly raise concerns about broadcast content from other countries,” said Ofcom.

Ofcom is unable to act because channels like Babestation are licensed in the Netherlands, not in the UK, meaning they are regulated by Dutch authorities.